News and Insights

7.10.25

“Cannabis Employment Compliance: How to Navigate Complex State and Federal Regulations”

Brett Gelbord authored the Cannabis Business Times article, “Cannabis Employment Compliance: How to Navigate Complex State and Federal Regulations.”

6.14.24

“Do medical marijuana companies need to comply with HIPAA?”

John Fraser, Matthew Hays, and Gerald Aben co-authored the MJBizDaily article, “Do medical marijuana companies need to comply with HIPAA?”.

Winter 2023

"Estate Planning Considerations for Cannabis Business Owners"

John Fraser co-authored the article, "Estate Planning Considerations for Cannabis Business Owners," for the Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal. The article appeared in the Winter 2023…

10.03.25

Michigan Cannabis Tax Passes: Numbers

At 3:00 a.m. on October 3, 2025, Michigan’s Legislature passed a 24% wholesale tax on legal marijuana sales, without hearing a single second of testimony and just eight days after the bill’s language…

10.01.25

The Real Impact of Michigan’s New Wholesale Marijuana Tax

Takeaways After failing to enact annual appropriations bills by the start of the new fiscal year, Michigan legislators have taken the unprecedented step of passing a short continuation budget.…

9.29.25

Bucking the Trend: Michigan Wholesale Tax Nightmare at Hand

Takeaways As everyone in Michigan’s cannabis industry is all too painfully aware, Michigan’s Legislative leaders and Governor have agreed to create a new (minimum) 24% wholesale tax on the state’s…

11.11.21

Dykema’s Annual M&A Outlook Event at the DAC

Join Dykema on Thursday, November 11, 2021, when we’ll provide a preview of the results of Dykema's annual "State of the M&A Market" analysis, a premier survey cited by top media including The Wall…

Dykema’s Annual M&A Outlook Events

Join us in Chicago or Detroit as we provide a preview of the results of Dykema's annual "State of the M&A Market" analysis, a premier survey cited by top media including The Wall Street Journal, The…

9.15.20

IRS Allows Reduction of Gross Receipts For State-Legal Cannabis Businesses

On Saturday, September 12, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) updated a marijuana industry frequently asked questions (“FAQ”) page that provides relief to state-legal cannabis businesses. The…

3.16.20

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Imposing Temporary Enhanced Restrictions on Price Gouging in Michigan

On March 15, 2020, Governor Whitmer issued an Executive Order, effective 9 a.m. today imposing two restrictions aimed at preventing price gouging during the COVID-19 emergency. These restrictions,…

3.12.20

Avoid Antitrust and Price Gouging Pitfalls In Your Coronavirus Response

The coronavirus disease continues to cause headaches for businesses all over the globe. Travel restrictions are leading to cancellations of small meetings and large-scale conferences; factory…

5.29.25

One Minute Matters [Video]: Did Texas Just Redefine Its Drug Policy in One Legislative Session? (with Brett Gelbord and Antonio Cifuentes)

Did Texas just redefine its drug policy in one session?Lawmakers in Texas just enacted a wave of legislation aimed at banning hemp-derived THC, expanding medical cannabis access, and investing heavily…

3.19.25

One Minute Matters [Video]: Where Does the Law Stand on Psychedelics? (with Brett Gelbord)

Psychedelics are going mainstream—but are they legal? With regulated markets in Oregon and Colorado, growing decriminalization efforts, and FDA trials underway, the legal landscape is rapidly…

10.28.24

One Minute Matters [Video]: 3 Key Trends Driving M&A Activity in the Cannabis Industry (with John Fraser)

Influenced by regulatory uncertainty, shifting consumer demand, and the evolving capital landscape, it’s been a capricious couple of years for M&A activity in the cannabis industry. John Fraser breaks…

8.19.25

What happens when a cannabis business can’t pay its debts?

How do you measure success in an industry where operators need to evaluate their business plans based on regulatory trends, tax limitations, and (sometimes illegal) competition?

1.30.25

How can cannabis companies retain their best employees?

How do you build a thriving workforce in an industry known for instability? Brett Gelbord sits down with Nate Russell and Ben Richards of The Lab to discuss what it takes to create fair and effective…

10.15.24

Is hiring a foreign national a risky move for cannabis employers?

Cannabis legalization may continue to spread state-by-state, but Uncle Sam still sees it as a controlled substance and those who engage in the field can fit the definition of narcotics traffickers. So…

4.03.25

“3 Crucial Tips for Drafting Cannabis Contracts”

Lance Boldrey and John Fraser co-authored the Cannabis Business Times article, “3 Crucial Tips for Drafting Cannabis Contracts.”

2.19.25

“Cannabis Group Of The Year: Dykema”

Law360 profiled Dykema’s Cannabis Industry Group as part of its recognition as a “Practice Group of the Year” in Cannabis Law for 2024. Dykema was one of only a select few firms recognized in this…

2.17.25

John Fraser Quoted Extensively by Media Outlets Regarding Michigan Marijuana Tax Proposal

John Fraser was quoted extensively by media outlets following proposed tax plans by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on marijuana. 

10.30.25

Dykema’s 2025 M&A Outlook Survey Report: Dealmakers Anticipate a Strengthening U.S. M&A Market

For more than two decades, Dykema’s Annual M&A Outlook Survey has tracked the pulse of U.S. dealmaking. The firm’s 2025 survey, with responses from 216 executives, bankers, private equity leaders, and…

9.02.25

Boldrey, Fraser, and Gelbord Named “Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers” in Cannabis Law Report and Cannabis Law Journal

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Lance Boldrey, John Fraser, and Brett Gelbord were each selected for inclusion in the 6th edition of the “Global Top 200 Cannabis…

9.01.25

Dykema Named a 2025 Michigan Powerhouse by Law360

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that the firm was recognized as a 2025 “Michigan Powerhouse” by Law360. The recognition comes through the publication’s annual listing of…

10.30.25

M&A Sector Spotlight: Cannabis

M&A activity in the cannabis sector continues to lag behind the exuberant dealmaking of the early 2020s, but selective opportunities still exist. Instead of broad-based expansion or aggressive capital…

12.30.21

Denise Mayfield’s Scientific Papers on Cannabis Studies

Throughout her impressive career, Denise Mayfield has utilized her advanced degree in genetics and background in pulmonary medicine, reproductive medicine, and genetics in her patent prosecution and…

10.09.25

Boldrey, Fraser, and Gelbord to Speak at the Cannabis Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan's 10th Annual Cannabis Law Conference

Lance Boldrey, John Fraser, and Brett Gelbord will each serve as featured speakers at the Cannabis Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan’s 10th Annual Cannabis Law Conference, which takes place…

8.21.25

John Donovan to Serve as Panelist at Chicago Cannabis Round Table

John Donovan will serve as a featured panelist at the Chicago Cannabis Round Table hosted by Dykema and KEY Investment Partners on Thursday, August 21, from 5-7 p.m. in Dykema's Chicago Office. 

3.06.25

“Hazy Hodgepodge: Navigate the Cannabis Trademark Landscape”

John Fraser and Marsha Gentner will be co-presenters for the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Intellectual Property Law…

4.18.24

Best Practices for Avoiding Collections Issues, Securing Payments - Presented by Dykema

Lance Boldrey and Deborah Williamson will co-present the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency webinar, "Best Practices for Avoiding Collections Issues, Securing Payments - Presented by Dykema."

1.11.24

SBM Cannabis Law Section Webinar on Property Classification

Mark Magyar and Carl Rashid served as featured presenters for "State Bar of Michigan (SBM) Cannabis Law Section Webinar on Property Classification," which took place on January 11, 2024.

1.25.23

John Fraser Participated in ICLE Community Webinar on Current Marijuana Law

John Fraser participated in an ICLE Community virtual panel on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. In the webinar, Fraser discussed current issues in marijuana law, including case updates, supply…